POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION OF ANIMALS. 237 



examined microscopically, and the results carefully 

 noted. 



The same care with regard to noting, labelling, 

 etc., should be exercised in the subsequent study of 

 the cultures and the hardened tissues, which are to be 

 stained and subjected to microscopic examination. The 

 results of microscopic study of the cover-slip prepara- 

 tions and of those obtained by cultures should in most 

 cases correspond, though it not rarely occurs that bac- 

 teria are present in such small numbers in the tissues 

 that their presence may be overlooked microscopically, 

 and still they may appear in the cultures. 



If the autopsy has been performed in the proper 

 way, with the precautions given, and sufficiently soon 

 after death, the results of the bacteriological exami- 

 nation should be either negative or the organisms 

 which are isolated should be in pure cultures. This is 

 particularly the case with cultures made from the inter- 

 nal viscera. 



Both the cover-slips and cultures made from the 

 point of inoculation are apt to contain a variety of 

 organisms. 



If the organism obtained in pure culture from the 

 internal viscera, or those predominating at the point of 

 inoculation of the animal, have caused its death, then 

 subsequent inoculation of pure cultures of this organism 

 into the tissues of a second animal should produce sim- 

 ilar results. 



When the autopsy is quite finished the remains of 

 the animal should be burned; all instruments subjected 

 to either sterilization by steam or boiling for fifteen 

 minutes in a 1 to 2 per cent, soda solution ; and the 

 board upon which the animal was tacked, as well as the 



